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Family Walking Adventure at Whitby

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Level

Difficulty indicator

Difficulty is measured on many factors such as distance, ascent/descent, terrain, weather and more. There's no magic formula, but from our experience we use yellow for easy, orange for medium and red for hard. Challenger holidays require a high level of fitness and stamina.

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Prices are per person

Holiday overview

Under 11s GO FREE on all our 2018 UK Family Adventures

Larpool Hall, set in 14 acres of grounds, is great for energetic kids and is conveniently located close to the rugged North East coast, making it ideal for our family walking holidays. Highlights include hunting from crabs in the rock pools at Robin Hood's Bay, walking along the coast to Staithes, the setting for Old Jack's Boat on CBeebies, taking the steam train to Goathland and enjoy one of Whitby's legendary fish and chip suppers on board an open top bus!

In pictures...

Accommodation

Whitby is truly unique. Venture into this tight and twisty town whilst exploring the local architecture. Larpool Hall provides excellent accommodation and spacious public rooms. A magnificent location situated above the harbour and perfect for our walking and leisure activity holidays.

Larpool Hall has 28 newly refurbished bedrooms in the main building. Rooms at the front of the house enjoy wonderful views across the Esk Valley.

Choose your room

Classic Rooms• Check in from 2:30pm• Comfortable accommodation • En-suite bathroom with bath or shower• 23 inch TV• Hairdryer• Tea and coffee-making facilities• Double or two single beds• Toiletries• Single rooms are available at no extra charge

Facilities

• Dining room• Range of board games and books• Free WiFi available in public rooms • Extension views from the front of the house across the esk Valley

• Gardens include a putting green and croquet lawn

Dining

All holidays at our Country Houses are full board accommodation including an evening meal on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure. All of our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

√Start your day with our extensive breakfast.√ Take your fill from our famous self-service picnic lunches√ A relaxed social dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses

Your evenings

Just relax and take it easy, or if you'd like to continue to chat with our guides and fellow guests then why not grab a drink or take part in one of our optional evening activities.

All of our bars are stocked with locally sourced drinks so you can really soak up your surroundings.

Accessibility

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued

Mobile phone reception is generally good from the main building

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times

Information can be provided in large print

Staff have received disability awareness training

Special diets can be catered for. Specialist food can be obtained with prior notice

Hired equipment can be arranged for your stay with prior notice

Fridge for medication can be supplied

Itinerary

Family-friendly walks

Our family holidays offer the choice of up to 3 guided walks each day – you can choose an Easier Walk one day and switch to a Harder Walk the next. Our routes range from short strolls that are ideal for little legs, to more challenging hill walks that will appeal to active teenagers.

Along the Smuggler’s Coast to Staithes

Option 1: May Breaks

Staithes to Runswick Bay

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)

Total ascent: 400 feet (120m)

The walk in a nutshell: Leaving the coach at Staithes, you'll walk down though the cobbled streets and have the opportunity to explore the museum, visit the lifeboat house and perhaps, depending on the tide, hunt for fossils before following the cliff path past Port Mulgrave to Runswick Bay, where there'll be time to play on the beach before meeting the coach.

Don’t miss: See if you can spot Old Jack’s Boat in Staithes.

Option 1: Mar & Aug Breaks

Staithes to Sandsend

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)

Total ascent: 400 feet (120m)

The walk in a nutshell: After a visit to Staithes, we start our walk at Sandsend through the landscaped woods of the Mulgrave Estate. We'll hear about the three castles that have been built there over the centuries and explore the ruins. We return by a different route to Sandsend to spend time on the beach or at the beck before our return coach.

Don’t miss: Imagining the Norman lords who built the castle, and the Royalists who defended it in the Civil War.

Option 2:

Runswick Bay to Sandsend

Distance: 6 miles (9½km)

Total ascent: 920 feet (280m)

The walk in a nutshell: Enjoy a glorious section of the Yorkshire coast between Runswick Bay and Sandsend. We start along the beach, then ascend onto the cliff-top path which takes us around the headland at Kettleness and on to Sandsend.

Don’t miss: There's time to explore Staithes before rejoining the coach to start our walk at Runswick Bay. Staithes is a timeless fishing village with cobbled streets and historic buildings.

Option 4:

Boulby to Sandsend

Distance: 12 miles (19½km)

Total ascent: 1,900 feet (580m)

The walk in a nutshell: Our walk starts on top of the towering Boulby Cliffs. We follow the coastal path all the way to Sandsend, taking in the quaint fishing village of Staithes, the sweeping arc of Runswick Bay, and the remote headland at Kettleness.

Don’t miss: As you approach Sandsend there's a glorious view along the 2½ mile long beach towards Whitby, with the ruins of Whitby Abbey prominant in the distance.

Heartbeat Country Around Goathland

Option 1: Goathland & Grosmont Circuit

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Total ascent: 100 feet (30m)

The walk in a nutshell: Starting at Goathland, Aidensfield in television’s Heartbeat and Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films, we take a disused railway track to Grosmont. Time to look round Grosmont and its engine sheds, then return to Whitby on the steam train. 3 miles (5km) with 100 feet (30m) of ascent.

Option 2: Goathland Circuit

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Total ascent: 950 feet (280m)

The walk in a nutshell: Walk from Goathland past the Mallyan Spout waterfall, heading down the valley to the neighbouring village of Grosmont. Our return route follows the old railway trail between the two villages.

Don’t miss: Today's walks centre on the village of Goathland - made famous as the setting for the TV series Heartbeat. You may also recognise Goathland station from its role in the Harry Potter films.

Option 3: Over the Moors to Goathland

Distance: To be updated

Total ascent: To be updated

The walk in a nutshell: Starting above the Hole of Horcum we descend steeply into Newtondale, where we may see a steam train as we cross the railway. We continue on forest and moorland tracks to Simon Howe, before descending to Wheeldale and a section of the Roman Road. Our route continues to Goathland via Mallyan Spout and the incline of the old railway track.

Captain Cook Country

Option 1: Roseberry Topping

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)

Total ascent: 700 feet (210m)

The walk in a nutshell: From Newton Under Roseberry we then continue over Roseberry Common and woodland to reach Pinchinthorpe Visitor Centre, with its excellent playground. 4 miles (6.5km) with 700 feet (210m) of ascent.

Don’t miss: Topping Roseberry Topping!

Option 2: Captain Cook's Monument

Distance: 6½ miles (11km)

Total ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)

The walk in a nutshell: Follow the Cleveland Way to the magnificent viewpoint at Captain James Cook’s monument; we then descend to the foot of Roseberry Topping and on to the village of Great Ayton.

Don’t miss: Walk in the footsteps of Captain James Cook who grew up in the village of Great Ayton. There may be time to visit the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum at the end of the walk.

Option 3: Cleveland Way Circuit

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Total ascent: 1,700 feet (520m)

The walk in a nutshell: A circular walk from Great Ayton, taking in Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument. For part of the day our route follows the Cleveland Way along the Moors escarpment.

Don’t miss: Soak up the sweeping panorama over Teesside and the surrounding countryside; a great contrast of natural and man-made landscapes.

The Ravenscar Coast

Option 1: Ravenscar to Robin Hood's Bay

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Total ascent: 300 feet (90m)

The walk in a nutshell: Starting at Ravenscar we follow the Cleveland Way along the sweep of the coastline to the smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay. Explore the beach, rock pools and look for fossils. Returning to Larpool Hall, there’ll be time for games in the garden.

Don’t miss: Cracking rocks on the beach to find fossils.

Option 2: Robin Hood's Bay & Whitby

Distance: 6 miles (9½km)

Total ascent: 950 feet (300m)

The walk in a nutshell: After time exploring Robin Hood’s Bay, our coach takes us to the village of Hawsker. A track from here joins the coastal path which we follow to Whitby. We'll pass the iconic ruins of the Abbey, before descending the steps to the harbour.

Option 3: Ravenscar to Whitby

Distance: 11½ miles (18½km)

Total ascent: 2,050 feet (620m)

The walk in a nutshell: A glorious coastal walk starting high on the headland at Ravenscar. We'll initially head to Boggle Hole and the quaint fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay, before rounding the headland and continuing along the coast to Whitby.

Don’t miss: We'll descend the famous 199 steps from Whitby Abbey and enjoy the classic view over the bustling harbour.

Dales of The Esk Way

Option 1: Castleton Rigg & Eskdale

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Total ascent: 400 feet (120m)

The walk in a nutshell: Starting from a play area in the village of Castleton, we walk the Esk Valley Way to the National Park Centre at Danby. Specially designed for children, the centre has nature trails, an adventure playground, wildlife exhibition and café.

Don’t miss: Wildlife & nature spotting on the way to the Moors Centre

Option 2: Danby Rigg

Distance: 6 miles (9½km)

Total ascent: 550 feet (180m)

The walk in a nutshell: Starting high on the moor, we visit the Seated Man, an intriguing sculpture high on Castleton Rigg. We then descend along the Rigg, following field and moorland paths to visit Danby Castle, home of Katherine Parr, before crossing the Esk Valley railway to arrive at the Moors Centre.

Don’t miss: The Moors Centre has excellent interpretive displays about the national park, and a rolling programme of exhibitions by local artists.

Option 3: Atop the Moors

Distance: 10 miles (16½km)

Total ascent: 1,800 feet (540m)

The walk in a nutshell: Explore the moors above the Esk Valley. Starting from Castleton we take in three hills: Westerdale Moor, Castleton Rigg and Danby Rigg punctuated by tranquil green valleys.

Don’t miss: Look out for the standing stones, cairns and long barrows on Danby Rigg - evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age.

Holiday Information

﻿Family friendly: KIDS GO FREE if booked by 29 December 2017. After this date children under 11 go FREE and children up to 17 get a 50% discount.

﻿Family-friendly walks: we've selected the best walks for families with shorter distances and plenty of interest along the routes. The shorter walks usually allow plenty of time for activities on the beach, or enjoying the grounds of Larpool Hall

Adventure: each day there are opportunities for longer walks along the coast or over the North York Moors

Peace of mind: only families can book on our dedicated Family holidays - the kids get the run of the Country House in a safe environment

Free day: on our 7 night holidays, enjoy a day without walks to get out and make the most of the nearby family-friendly attractions

Terrain and transport: Family and Easier walks finish earlier in the afternoon to suit little legs - walks are not suitable for pushchairs. Easier Walks are on generally good paths with some short steep sections and steps. Medium and Harder Walks have occasional steeper and rougher sections.

On some days the walks start or finish at Larpool Hall; on other days we use hired transport at the start and/or end of the walks. The cost of all transport to and from the walks is included in the price of your holiday.

Activities at Larpool Hall: Your leaders will inform you about the choice of walks for the next day and answer any questions you may have. After a sociable evening meal you could join in an evening activity created specifically for all the family or use the Country House facilities.

Local area

Discover the North York Moors

During your stay at Larpool Hall you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest, either in your free time, or on your journey to and from Whitby:

Whitby is a bustling harbour town and a popular tourist destination. From Larpool Hall it is a 1½ miles downhill walk, or a short drive to the town centre. The town has a full range of facilities including shops, banks, pubs and cafés. If you don’t mind the queue, the Magpie café on the waterfront is said to serve England’s best fish and chips!

Whitby Abbey The iconic ruined abbey commands a wonderful position above the harbour and can be reached by climbing the famous 199 steps. About 10 minutes' drive or a 1½ mile walk. www.english-heritage.org.uk//whitby-abbey

Staithes The pretty fishing village of Staithes is a pleasant spot to visit. Young children may well recognise the village as the setting for Old Jacks Boat on CBeebies. Around 25 minutes' drive from Whitby.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway The North Yorkshire Moors Railway operates steam trains over its 18 mile line between Grosmont and Pickering and in the summer some trains continue over the British Rail branch line to Whitby. This is a highly scenic route: one reason why the line has become Britain’s most visited steam railway. The well-kept and historic stations are worth seeing for their own sake and you may well recognise Goathland which has doubled as ‘Adensfield’ on the Heartbeat TV series, and as ‘Hogsmeade’ in the Harry Potter films. Either join the train at Whitby, or at Grosmont, about 20 minutes' drive away. www.nymr.co.uk

Scarborough & Stephen Joseph TheatreScarborough is a quintessential Victorian seaside resort with plenty of attractions for both young and old. The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough is home to Alan Ayckbourn, the renowned playwright. It has two theatres - the round and the McCarthy which doubles as a cinema, plus a restaurant and shop. www.sjt.uk.com

Whitby to Scarborough Cycle TrailThis superb trail uses the route of disused railway line and offers miles of traffic-free cycling, often with outstanding sea views. The trail passes right next to Larpool Hall and heads south to Robin Hoods Bay, Ravenscar, or if you are feeling keen to Scarborough. Bikes can be hired at nearby Hawsker. www.trailways.info

Rydale Folk MuseumThis museum is located at Hutton-Le-Hole, about 50 minutes' drive from Whitby. This pretty village west of Pickering that has a feel of a Cotswold village, being built of mellow stone and with a stream though the middle. The museum houses exhaustive displays of rural life and crafts in buildings spread over several acres. www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk

Castle Howard Located near Malton about an hour's drive from Whitby, Castle Howard is one of Britain’s grandest stately homes. It is well known as the location for the TV series Brideshead Revisited. Today the house is still owned by the Howard family and the building hosts many exhibitions & events throughout the year. Also of interest are the extensive gardens that contain a formal rose garden and elegant ponds and fountains. www.castlehoward.co.uk

Travel

Travel to Whitby

By train:

The nearest railway station to Larpool Hall is at Whitby, which is at the end of a long branch line from Middlesbrough.

However, most guests find that travelling via Scarborough station is more convenient. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

By taxi:

The 2 mile journey from Whitby station takes approximately 10 minutes, with a cost of around £7 per taxi. The 21 mile journey from Scarborough rail station takes approximately 40 minutes, with a cost of around £30. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Larpool Hall Manager.

By bus:

The 93 bus runs regularly between Scarborough station and Whitby. As you approach Whitby, alight by the Larpool Industrial Estate. From here it is an 800 metre walk to Larpool Hall. See www.traveline.info for bus times.

By car:

Most guests approach Whitby via the A171 from Teesside or the A169 from Pickering and Malton; these roads converge at a roundabout about 2 miles outside Whitby. After this roundabout and as you approach Whitby, cross another roundabout then turn right at the traffic lights signposted to Scarborough. Cross the large bridge over the River Esk, then immediately turn right into Larpool Lane. After 500 metres turn left into the narrowing road of Larpool Drive. Larpool Hall is directly ahead at the end of this road. A large car park is available in the grounds.

Travelling from overseas

Manchester Airport is served by a range of long-haul flights. There are trains every hour from the airport to Scarborough with one change at Manchester Piccadilly. Allow 2hrs 50 minutes to Scarborough - see www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.

Flying to London Heathrow airport is another option, but has a longer onward train journey - allow 4½ hours to reach Scarborough. From Heathrow first take the Piccadilly line Underground train to London Kings Cross station. From here take a train to Scarborough (1 change at York) - see www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.

From Scarborough you can complete the journey to Whitby by bus or taxi (see above).

Information

All child prices are based on sharing with an adult. Children not sharing an adult's room will be subject to a £50 surcharge per child per stay. A single room charge of £5 per child per night will be made where applicable.